Appeal from Ambassador Mohamed Rifaa Al-Tahawi

🔴 Appeal from Ambassador Mohamed Rifaat Al-Tahawi

The Al-Shehab Center for Human Rights publishes the text of the appeal we received from Ambassador Mohamed Rifaat Al-Tahawi, who is imprisoned in Sector (2) of Badr Prison (3), and has been on hunger strike for more than 45 days along with 58 of his colleagues, in protest against the severe violations and abuses they are subjected to, as well as the deprivation of their natural rights:

I am Ambassador Mohamed Rifaat Al-Tahawi, imprisoned in Sector (2) of Badr Prison (3), and I have been on hunger strike for more than 45 days along with 58 of my colleagues, in protest against the severe violations and abuses we are facing and the deprivation of our natural rights.

After the Ministry of Interior denied the existence of a hunger strike or suicide attempts among the prisoners in the sector, while the number of suicide attempts has exceeded 16 cases, with some attempting suicide inside the courtroom in front of the judge, all 58 individuals in the sector have continued their hunger strike for 45 days, and some have been transferred to intensive care due to the deterioration of their health condition.

In order for the local and international public opinion to understand the truth of what is happening, I call for the formation of an international fact-finding committee to visit Sector (2) of Badr Prison (3), which will submit its report to the High Commissioner and the Human Rights Council in Geneva. This is not a diminishment of Egypt's sovereignty or an appeal to a foreign body, as the United Nations is an international organization that represents the collective will of all its member states, and Egypt is a founding member.

When we demand an investigation into the Egyptian regime's compliance with human rights treaties, we are certainly calling on the government to respect the constitution and the law.

I make a special appeal to Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei, given his political weight and status and his known integrity, to kindly consider chairing the proposed committee and to include it in his support and patronage. I also hope that the committee will include Ambassador Shukri Fouad and Mr. George Ishaq as members.

I also appeal to the honorable Mr. Awn Al-Khasawneh, former Prime Minister of Jordan, judge at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, and President of the Vienna Conference on International Treaties, to kindly consider chairing the committee and support our demand for its formation, should circumstances prevent Dr. ElBaradei from chairing the committee, as I know him to be someone who does not refuse a request, even if it requires great effort and hardship.

Ambassador Mohamed Rifaat Al-Tahawi

Former Chief of Staff to the President

From "Cairo's Guantanamo" – Sector (2) Badr Prison (3).

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